2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Preview

Alta Sports2 months ago · 605 views

2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Preview image

Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest promises to be a spectacle. Two rookies and two veterans will take center stage on Sunday at the Intuit Dome, looking to make their mark in the All-Star event with their high-flying wizardry.

With three-time winner Mac McClung not defending his title this season, a new Slam Dunk champion will be crowned. Here are the four first-time participants who will compete in the showpiece event.

Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers)

Jaxson Hayes will be looking to create history in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest, aiming to become the first 7-footer to win the All-Star event. He captured the imagination of basketball fans earlier this year when he pulled off a between-the-legs dunk on a fast break situation during the game against the Chicago Bulls.

Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs)

Carter Bryant named Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as his idols growing up and he will look to follow in their footsteps and win the Slam Dunk Contest at the young age of 20. He has been shaky with his dunk attempts, though, during his rookie season with the Spurs, going just 5-of-14 on those type of shots before the All-Star Weekend.

Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic)

Dunking runs in the blood of Jase Richardson. His father, Jason Richardson, won the Slam Dunk Contest twice before, capturing the titles in 2002 and 2003. Jase has made no secret that he will be grabbing tips from his Dad before the big night, not a bad idea given his father’s jaw-dropping dunks in the NBA. Jase will be the ninth Orlando Magic player to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)

Keshad Johnson will be the fifth Miami Heat player to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, joining Billy Thompson (1990), two-time winner Harold Miner (1995 & 1993), 2020 champion Derrick Jones Jr., and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2024) in the exclusive list. He has scored nine dunks for the Heat this season, sixth-highest on the team.